• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.49-53
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• 2016

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common syndrome resulting in kidney damage and malfunction within a few days or even a few hours. The diagnosis of AKI depends on routine biochemical tests, including serum creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and electrolytes. Plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a biomarker that shows correlation with the severity of acute infections and kidney injuries. The predictive value in other conventional assays for kidney functions has been reported to cause distraction for AKI syndrome. The aim of this study is to verify the predictive value of plasma NGAL in patients with established AKI. The NGAL kit for checkup demonstrates sensitivity of ${\geq}300$ (92.2%), ${\geq}200$ (95.6%), ${\geq}100$ (99.6%), specificity of ${\geq}300$ (95.1%), ${\geq}200$ (97.3%), ${\geq}100$ (99.4%), positive predictability of ${\geq}300$ (93.3%), ${\geq}200$ (93.4%), ${\geq}100$ (99.2%), and negative predictability of ${\geq}300$ (96.7%), ${\geq}200$ (97.7%), ${\geq}100$ (98.1%), respectively. The plasma NGAL compared with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been shown to be an early predictive biomarker of AKI. The NGAL kit, recently developed for point-of-care of plasma specimens, is thought to be a useful and reliable biomarker for the early diagnosis of decreased kidney functions.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 1975

It is a great value to find an early detection of involvement of ureteric obstruction in the carcinoma of cervix. Little or no knowledge of the condition of the kidneys or the lower urinary tract are able to elucidate by the biochemical studies such as blood nitrogen or urine creatinine in carcinoma of cervix. Findings of urography delineates the condition of urinary tract stasis in the renal pelvis and ureters, however, slight stasis maybe difficult to demonstrate. On the other hand isotope nephrography is accepted as a sensitive method to observe renal function especially in regarding to the excretory function of kidney. It was attempted to analysis the findings of urography conjunction with isotope nephrography in 50 cases of unselected patients with invasive carcinoma of cervix through pre and post irradiation follow up studies. Urography was done as a routine procedure and.analysed emphasising changes of collecting systems and ureter condition. Isotope nephrography was carried out by means of $15{\mu}ci\;I^{131}$-Hippuran injected intravenously and the curves were analysed as follows. Parameter were; time of maximum amplitude ($T_{max}$), half time of maximum amplitude ($T\frac{1}{2}$), Kac and Kex value calculated from these two parameters in Tobe's method. The excretion index by Aurell defines the ratio between the maximum activity and the activity measured on the slope of the third phase ten minites after it has reached its maximum. Results: 1. 28.8% had an abnormal IVP suggestive of ureteric involvement before irradiation therapy and the patient of stage III and IV were the great part. 2. 21.7% had abnormal findings of per-irradiation renogram whom showed normal IVP. The other group showed normal IVP which group also showed normal renogram prior irradiation. 3. The more severe the ureteric involvement, the change of excretion index was greater. 4. Even in stage I and II patient, abnormal renogram was revealed in 12 cases (39.4%) among 31 cases. 5. All cases of TAH showed abnormal findings of IVP and renogram. 6. No. definite change of renogram was obtained just after the irradiation therapy (point $A:8000{\sim}9000rads,\;B:5000{\sim}6000rads,\;Co:11000{\sim}13000rads$). Each 3 month follow up study was performed and comparing with preirradiation study which showed significant changes of excretion index of renogram were 42.8% in $6{\sim}9$ month follow-up and 75% in $9{\sim}12$ month, respectively. 7. It seems to be important to observe the parameter Kex and excretion index of renogram to determine early abnormality of kidney excretory function by means of post-irradiation follow up study.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.688-693
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• 2007

The hepatoprotective effects of water extracts composed of Adenophora triphylla var japonica Hara (ATJH) on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity were investigated in vivo and in vivo. The effects of ATJH on liver toxicity induced by APAP were assessed by blood biochemical and histopathological analyses. APAP treatment (350 mg/kg) caused severe liver injury in mice as indicated by their significantly elevated plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Pretreatment with ATJH for 3 or 7 days attenuated the increases in ALT and AST when challenged with APAP. The reductions in viability caused by high dose of APAP (450 mg/kg) in vivo were reversed by pretreatment with ATJH. These protective effects of ATJH against APAP-induced toxicity were consistent with the results from the histopathological examinations. We next examined the effects of ATJH on the gene expression of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) that detoxify the metabolic intermediates of APAP in H4IIE cells. The hepatic GST protein levels [$\alpha$ class (GSTA2, GSTA3/5)] were significantly elevated in a dose-dependent manner by ATJH treatment. In summary, ATJH is effective at protecting against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity by GST induction, implying that ATJH should be considered a potential chemopreventive agent.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.521-530
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• 2013

Protein-energy malnutrition, PEM, and increased hs-CRP level are considered to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. This is commonly referred to as the vicious circle of malnutrition-inflammation-atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease (MIA syndrome) in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Low protein intake can decrease the serum level of albumin and increase inflammational markers; further, both low serum albumin and high hs-CRP are independent risk factors for all-cause mortality in HD patients. The aim of this study is comparing the serum levels of albumin and hs-CRP in HD patients according to the protein intake levels. The total number of subjects was 60 hemodialysis patients; they were grouped by dietary protein intake: low protein intake group (LPI, protein intake < 1.0 g/kg IBW, 11 men and 19 women) and adequate protein intake group (API, protein intake ${\geq}$ 1.0g/kg IBW, 12 men and 18 women). Blood biochemical parameters, nutrient intake, and dietary behaviors were compared between the LPI and API groups. The LPI group showed a significantly lower serum level of albumin and higher serum level of hs-CRP than the API group (p < 0.05). The LPI group showed a significantly lower intake of most nutrients than the API group (p < 0.05). Index of Nutritional Quality of most nutrients of the LPI and API groups were lower than 1.0. Dietary protein intake was positively correlated with the serum level of albumin (r = 0.306, p < 0.05) and negatively correlated with the serum level of hs-CRP (r = -0.435, p < 0.01). The serum level of hs-CRP was negatively correlated with that of albumin (r = -0.393, p < 0.01). According to these result, serum albumin and hs-CRP in HD patients were influenced by the protein intake levels. To prevent MIA syndrome, it is necessary to improve nutritional status, especially in protein and energy.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.180-185
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• 2003

Rats(Sprague-Dawley) were randomly assigned to the following four groups, control, exercise only, exercise and the intake of DNA, exercise, and the intake of DNA plus crude catechin. 0.4% of DNA from salmon egg and 0.1% crude catechins from Puerariae thunbergiana roots were fed to the rats. The exercise group was exercised in a treadmill at 20 m/min speed for 6 wks. Body weight and body fat weight of 4 groups were investigated, and the body fat composition and antioxidant activity were evaluated by measuring the weight of organs and biochemical test. After 6 wks, body weight did not show any significant differences among those 4 groups, but body fat weight in exercised groups was significantly decreased. The weight of liver, epididymal adipose tissue(E.A.T) and perirenal adipose tissue(P.A.T) were significantly decreased in groups of exercise only, exercise and the intake of DNA, exercise and the intake of DNA plus crude catechin(p<0.05). Phospholipid, cholesterol and triglyceride levels of serum were decreased by exercise, but HDL-cholesterol level of serum was significantly increased(p<0.05). GOT, GPT and glucose levels in serum were slightly decreased by crude catechin, but serum NEFA levels were significantly increased by crude catechin(p<0.05). Results indicated that excercise with the intake of crude catechin would be helpful for the functional development of the compositions in blood lipid.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.5-17
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• 2000

To evaluate the possible therapeutic effects of growth hormone and vitamin C on multiorgan failure, a rat model was developed for LPS-induced sepsis. Using this model, the effects of growth hormone and vitamin C on tissue damages, catalase and i-NOS activities, and MDA levels were examined in the lung and liver. The level of TNF- in plasm was also examined. Male, Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with LPS intraperitoneally then divided into 3 groups : positive controls injected with LPS only, the ones injected with growth hormone or vitamin C immediately after the LPS injections. The lung and the liver were then isolated, blood samples were collected at 24 or 48 hours after the LPS injection, then examined for histopathological and biochemical changes. The results obtained were as follows. 1. LPS induced sinusoid vasodilation and mild destruction of lobular structure in the liver. In the lung, alveolar structure appeared to be thickened and interstitial edema was observed. The levels of MDA in the liver and the lung was increased by LPS, while the activity of catalase was decreased. The activity of i-NOS of those tissues was also increased, which was more pronounced at 24 hr. The level of TNF- in plasm was increased by LPS 2. In the lung, vitamin C suppressed lymphocyte and neutrophil infiltration, alveolar wall thickening and interstitial edema. In the liver, vitamin C protected against the destruction of the lobular structure. The activity of catalase reduced by LPS was reversed partly by vitamin C. The activity of i-NOS enhanced by LPS was also reversed by vitamin C. The level of TNF- in plasm reduced in some animals by vitamin C, which however was not significant statistically(p<0.05). 3. Growth hormone showed similar protective effects against inflammation and damages in the liver and lung tissues. Growth hormone reversed partly the LPS effects on the level of MDA, the activity of catalase and i-NOS induction in the liver and the lung. Growth hormone reduced plasma level of TNF-${\alpha}$ substantially, which contrasted from vitamin C. Besides this, overall protective effects of growth hormone against LPS-induced experimental sepsis were similar to those of vitamin C. From this results, the mechanism of growth hormone on suppression of LPS-induced tissue damage might be associated with production of antioxidative enzyme and suppression of plasma TNF- level.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.209-214
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• 2017

Background: Both ginsenoside Re and B-complex vitamins are widely used as nutritional supplements. They are often taken together so as to fully utilize their antifatigue and refreshing effects, respectively. Whether actually a drug-nutrient interaction exists between ginsenoside Re and B-complex vitamins is still unknown. The objective of this study was to simultaneously investigate the effect of B-complex vitamins on the antifatigue activity and bioavailability of ginsenoside Re after their oral administration. The study results will provide valuable theoretical guidance for the combined utilization of ginseng and B-complex vitamins. Methods: Ginsenoside Re with or without B-complex vitamins was orally administered to mice to evaluate its antifatigue effects and to rats to evaluate its bioavailability. The antifatigue activity was evaluated by the weight-loaded swimming test and biochemical parameters, including hepatic glycogen, plasma urea nitrogen, and blood lactic acid. The concentration of ginsenoside Re in plasma was determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results: No antifatigue effect of ginsenoside Re was noted when ginsenoside Re in combination with B-complex vitamins was orally administered to mice. B-complex vitamins caused to a reduction in the bioavailability of ginsenoside Re with the area under the concentration-time curve from zero to infinity markedly decreasing from $11,830.85{\pm}2,366.47h{\cdot}ng/mL$ to $890.55{\pm}372.94h{\cdot}ng/mL$. Conclusion: The results suggested that there were pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drug-nutrient interactions between ginsenoside Re and B-complex vitamins. B-complex vitamins can significantly weaken the antifatigue effect and decrease the bioavailability of ginsenoside Re when simultaneously administered orally.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.449-453
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• 2014

A 2-year-old, intact male, Persian exotic cat, weighing 2 kg with a history of a palpated abdominal mass was admitted to Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Seoul National University. On routine complete blood count (CBC) and serum biochemical analyses, there were anemia and 0.45 of albumin to globulin ratio. A feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) virus antibody test kit was negative. Radiography, ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) were performed. A markedly enlarged abdominal mass was found. On cytologic examination of this mass, it was diagnosed as alimentary lymphoma or pyogranulomatous inflammation. Chemotherapeutic treatment for intestinal lymphoma was provided for several weeks, but the mass size was increased and clinical signs were not improved. The cat died six days after discontinuing chemotherapy. On postmortem examination, the definitive diagnosis was FIP. This case describes a cat with FIP in which an abdominal tumor had been suspected clinically.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.350-355
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• 2010

The hepatoprotective effects of theanine on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity were investigated in vivo and in vitro. The effects of theanine on liver toxicity induced by APAP were assessed by blood biochemical and histopathological analyses. APAP treatment (400 mg/kg) caused severe liver injury in mice as indicated by their significantly elevated plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Pretreatment with theanine for 3 days attenuated the increase in ALT and AST when challenged with APAP. These protective effects of theanine against APAP-induced toxicity were consistent with the results from the histopathological examinations. We next examined the effects of theanine on the GSH concentration in liver plasma. The hepatic GSH level was significantly elevated in a dose-dependent manner by theanine treatment. The results suggest that the protective effects of theanine APAP-induced hapatotoxicity by antioxidative effect and GSH induction, implying that theanine should be considered a potential chemopreventive agent.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.199-207
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Fermented Laminaria japonica (FL), a type sea tangle used as a functional food ingredient, has been reported to possess cognitive improving properties that may aid in the treatment of common neurodegenerative disorders, such as dementia. MATERIALS/METHODS: We examined the effects of FL on scopolamine (Sco)- and ethanol (EtOH)-induced hippocampus-dependent memory impairment, using the Passive avoidance (PA) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. To examine the underlying mechanisms associated with neuroprotective effects, we analyzed acetylcholine (ACh) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, brain tissue expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR), cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), and immunohistochemical analysis, in the hippocampus of mice, compared to current drug therapy intervention. Biochemical blood analysis was carried out to determine the effects of FL on alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels. 7 groups (n = 10) consisted of a control (CON), 3 Sco-induced dementia and 3 EtOH-induced dementia groups, with both dementia group types containing an untreated group (Sco and EtOH); a positive control, orally administered donepezil (Dpz) (4mg/kg) (Sco + Dpz and EtOH + Dpz); and an FL (50 mg/kg) treatment group (Sco + FL50 and EtOH + FL50), orally administered over the 4-week experimental period. RESULTS: FL50 significantly reduced EtOH-induced increase in AST and ALT levels. FL50 treatment reduced EtOH-impaired step-through latency time in the PA test, and Sco- and EtOH-induced dementia escape latency times in the MWM test. Moreover, anticholinergic effects of Sco and EtOH on the brain were reversed by FL50, through the attenuation of AChE activity and elevation of ACh concentration. FL50 elevated ERK1/2 protein expression and increased p-CREB (ser133) in hippocampus brain tissue, according to Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis, respectively. CONCLUSION: Overall, these results suggest that FL may be considered an efficacious intervention for Sco- and EtOH-induced dementia, in terms of reversing cognitive impairment and neuroplastic dysfunction.